The Birch Creek Campground is a recreation area managed by the BLM near Lone Pine in Idaho. The campground sits in a central position between the south-east section of the Sawtooth National Forest and the western area of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The campground is a super scenic spot to pitch camp in an RV in a tranquil setting surrounded by mountains and forests. There are twenty-five standard non-electric sites at the campground that are operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Set out from the Birch Creek Campground for a countryside hike and you'll be following in the footsteps of the Native American tribe who first inhabited the area. From the campground, you can join part of the Nez Perce National Historical trail that will not only give you exercise and a breath of pine-infused air, but an insight into the history of the Nez Perce Indians. There's another great hike just south of the campground in Idaho Falls that will take you along the side of the Snake River and by a cascading waterfall. The Museum of Idaho in Twin Falls is a must-do too for anyone interested in science and history.
Many anglers pitch up at the Birch Creek Campground in Idaho to try their hand at fly fishing either in Birch Creek itself or close by in the Snake River or Mud Lake. If the fish prove to be elusive and avoid being hooked, you won't need to be disappointed as you can always make a visit to the East Idaho Aquarium to see the many on display there.
The Birch Creek Campground is under normal circumstances a very easy campground to access. It sits along the side of the ID 28 between Lone Pine and Terreton. The creek for which the campground is named runs alongside the campground. High water levels and severe flooding at the campground have caused damage to the internal road network. Visitors arriving at the campground may find the roads with deep ruts that, while negotiable in some vehicles, may not be in others. The BLM advises campers to approach the campground with caution and to assess the roadways before progressing.
If you've been RV camping in the Lolo National Forest in Montana and are heading to Birch Creek for a change of scene, join the US 93 southbound in Missoula. From there'll you'll have a straight run down to Salmon where you can turn-off onto the ID 28 to the campground. The drive will take you around four hours unless you pull over to admire the scenery as you motor between the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
If you roll up in your rig to the Birch Creek Campground and find the access roads impossible to pass in your RV, a great alternative option is the Warm River Campground in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The campground sits on the edge of the forest near the town of Ashton which is just over an hour and a half drive from Birch Creek. You'll find it has the same stunning scenery around it and is easy to get to.
The Warm River Campground is open from around the seventh of May to the end of September and pitches should be reserved at least four days in advance of arrival. Reservations can be made via the recreation.govwebsite.
The Warm River Campground is located on the mid-western border of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and less than ten miles from the town of Ashton. It has well-maintained access roads that are not affected by floodwaters. RV campers should be aware that campsites nineteen to twenty-seven are only suitable for RVs up to thirty-two feet in length as they have to pass over a bridge that has size and weight restrictions.
The Warm River Campground has both standard non-electric campsites and campsites with electric hook-ups. On-site amenities include drinking water, trash collection service, vault toilets and a site host during the busy months.
Step out of your RV and onto the Nez Perce National Historical Trail and you'll be following a defined pathway marked with interpretive signage. The signs along the section of the trail near the campground tell the story of the Nez Perce Indians who made the epic three month, one-thousand mile plus journey in the 19th century.
For a city stroll, try the Idaho Falls Greenbelt River Walk. The trail follows the Snake River for about five miles and crosses over the top of the man-made cascades of the Idaho Falls.
There's so many great spots to go fishing at and around the Birch Creek Campground most anglers would probably be more than happy to pitch camp there for a month or more. Fly fish the Birch Creek for brook or rainbow trout.
Head over to the Snake River for some more trout, catfish, bass or sturgeon. If you still haven't reached the bag limits set by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game by then, try casting hook and line into Mud Lake. Guaranteed, you'll soon have a net full and could even be grilling up some salmon for dinner.
While Birch Creek isn't deep enough to be able to float a motorized boat there, it's ideal to get in some canoeing or kayaking. There's no rapids or particularly challenging parts, so if you're looking for an adrenaline thrill, this is not the creek for you.
The creek meanders through some amazing countryside with steep, grass-covered banks either side and views of rugged peaks in the distance. It's a quiet and relaxing experience that you can launch straight in to from the Birch Creek Campground without hardly having to get your feet wet.
The Camas National Wildlife Refuge is forty-two square kilometers of meadowlands, marshlands, and lakes one hour's drive from the Birch Creek Campground. The varied landscapes of the refuge provide a habitat for multiple species of birds and animals. Go there and you could spot anywhere up to three-hundred different types of birds including trumpeter swans, mallard or ruddy ducks and ibis.
Herds of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk roam the grasslands as well as lots of other smaller mammals like coyotes, weasels, and rabbits.
The Museum of Idaho is a fascinating science and history museum in Idaho Falls. The museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions on multiple diverse topics many of which are interactive. Expect to be confronted with anything from the Wild West to an enormous mammoth, guitars or crime scene insects.
There's also artifacts from ancient Egypt, vintage vehicles and some very big, giant bugs. If you're RV camping at the Birch Creek campground with youngsters, this museum will keep them occupied for hours.
To experience the underwater world, head to Idaho Falls where you'll find the East Idaho Aquarium. The aquarium has both hands-on and behind glass exhibitions. There you can do everything from touch a starfish to watch sharks swimming in a tank where stingrays burrow in the sand. The aquarium showcases fresh and saltwater species as well as reptiles such as bearded dragons, turtles and iguanas. The aquarium is open seven days a week.
